Opening in Summer 2026. Join our mailing list to be the first to know about upcoming opportunities.
Applications now open, closing on October 30 at 11:59 PM.
Are you working on groundbreaking therapeutics solutions? The VITAL Hub seeks proposals for the development of innovative therapeutics solutions in alignment with BARDA’s mission to promote health security. Multi-use/platform technologies are preferred for this solicitation. VITAL invites startups and university-backed projects to apply for non-dilutive funding of up to $250K.
Mechanistic approaches may include the direct targeting of viruses or modulation of host factors. Therapeutic approaches that are considered to be in scope for this opportunity include programmable RNA antivirals including siRNA, antisense oligos and CRISPR-Cas13, decoy receptors and soluble host-factor traps, lectins, glycans and glycan-mimetic traps, host-virus interaction blockers, and broad-spectrum antiviral peptides. Molecules that are considered to be out of scope for this opportunity include monoclonal antibodies and small molecule drugs (<900 Daltons), including nucleotide and nucleoside analogues, that are being solicited under the SMART Antiviral Prize (https://vitalhubhealth.com/smart-antiviral-prize/) opportunity.
Innovative approaches to targeted delivery of BARDA-relevant therapeutics to specific cells, tissues, or organs, including the mucosa and immune-privileged sites.
Solutions may include novel drug delivery platforms, targeting mechanisms, and formulations that enhance bioavailability, specificity, and therapeutic efficacy while minimizing any safety effects or increasing susceptibility to infection. Immune privileged sites (eyes, brain/CNS, and reproductive organs) are of particular interest as specific anatomical regions that can tolerate the introduction of foreign antigens, without eliciting a hyperimmune response, while enabling systemic therapeutic effects.
Novel approaches to sustained and controlled delivery for injectable medical countermeasures.
Proposed technologies should enable controlled release, reduce dosing frequency, and improve adherence and operational flexibility in public health settings for injectable therapeutics. Solutions may include improved formulations or delivery systems for therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and other biologics, antivirals, and other therapeutics or prophylactics to counter BARDA-relevant threats. Approaches considered to be in scope include, but are not limited to, biodegradable depots, nanoparticles, and novel material-based carriers.
First-in-class, broad-spectrum antifungal drug candidates with novel mechanisms of action for the treatment of invasive fungal infections.
Candidates for the treatment of infections caused by Candida species, including Candida auris, and Aspergillus species, as well as rare molds, such as Mucorales are eligible. In-scope technologies include small molecules and peptide-based candidates. Neither vaccines nor antibody-based nor topical treatments will be considered for award under this solicitation (considered out of scope). Please outline a Target Product Profile that includes information on the indication sought, target patient population, mechanism of delivery, and modality.
Versatile, broad-spectrum therapeutics for the treatment of BARDA-relevant viral threats.
Mechanistic approaches may include the direct targeting of viruses or modulation of host factors. Therapeutic approaches that are considered to be in scope for this opportunity include programmable RNA antivirals including siRNA, antisense oligos and CRISPR-Cas13, decoy receptors and soluble host-factor traps, lectins, glycans and glycan-mimetic traps, host-virus interaction blockers, and broad-spectrum antiviral peptides. Molecules that are considered to be out of scope for this opportunity include monoclonal antibodies and small molecule drugs (<900 Daltons), including nucleotide and nucleoside analogues, that are being solicited under the SMART Antiviral Prize (https://vitalhubhealth.com/smart-antiviral-prize/) opportunity.
Multiple antigen scaffolds to boost vaccine efficacy against BARDA-relevant viral threats.
Approaches may include engineered structures from protein nanoparticles or DNA or other polymer matrices that present multiple antigens or antigen fragments on a single structural carrier. The proposal should describe the mechanism by which the scaffold functions to recruit and stimulate the immune system to increase vaccine efficacy as a function of its overall molecular structure, geometry of the displayed antigens, and type of stimulatory signals that it induces.
The review period for full applications for DEV Funding is currently paused. VITAL expects to resume actively reviewing full applications in March 2025.
Preliminary Applications may be submitted anytime and are assessed on an ongoing basis. If funding becomes available, organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal outside of the standard funding cycle. Otherwise, VITAL will invite select organizations to submit full applications during the next cycle of review (expected January – March 2025). Click HERE to submit a Preliminary Application.
If your organization does not wish to submit a Preliminary Application at this time but would like to be notified by email when VITAL resumes actively reviewing full applications, please click HERE and fill out this form.
Startups and projects will receive project management support and regular mentoring from subject matter experts over the award duration (6 months).
Proof-of-concept for a BARDA-relevant use case for an existing platform technology
Proof-of-concept for high-risk breakthrough technologies
Advancement of technologies currently in development to the next value inflection points
BARDA primarily develops medical countermeasures to counter acute threats and does not support research and development or acceleration in the areas of oncology or chronic disease. However, BARDA does partner with innovators and companies developing platform and multi-use technologies. Applicants can include data from other use cases so long as BARDA funding will be used to support research and development of the BARDA-relevant use cases.
Applications for DEV Funding Are Now Closed
Pre-proposal applications are now closed. Stay tuned for additional funding programs!
Applicants advancing to the next stage will be notified by November 2025 to submit a full application (by invitation only).
Winter 2025/2026 – Awardees will be selected and notified by early 2026.
Preliminary Applications may be submitted anytime and are assessed on an ongoing basis. If funding becomes available, organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal outside of the standard funding cycle. Otherwise, VITAL will invite select organizations to submit full applications during the next cycle of review (expected January – March 2025). Click HERE to submit a Preliminary Application.
If your organization does not wish to submit a Preliminary Application at this time but would like to be notified by email when VITAL resumes actively reviewing full applications, please click HERE and fill out this form.
Watch our info session to gain insights into the VITAL Non-Dilutive Funding Opportunities
Join one of our info sessions to gain insights into the VITAL Non-Dilutive Funding Opportunities and Programs.
If you or your organization would like to explore collaborations with other potential applicants, please visit our DEV Teaming Page.
For more information on BARDA areas of interest, visit https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/barda-baa.
BARDA also recently released TPPs relevant to some of its areas of interest: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/tpp.
We are accepting applications from early-stage biotech companies as well as academic and other innovators globally.
We are accepting applications from early-stage biotech companies as well as academic and other innovators globally. Companies and individuals are welcome to apply for both the Accelerator Program and non-dilutive funding from VITAL. Applications will be reviewed independently. Solicitations for both the Accelerator Program and non-dilutive funding opportunities will be open on an annual basis.
No. SAM.gov registration is not required.
Solicitation opens August 5, 2026 and closes October 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM in your local time zone by October 30, 2026.
Applications will be evaluated with a particular focus on 1) the ability of the proposed application of the technology to support BARDA’s mission, 2) the uniqueness of the innovation and its ability to address unmet needs, and 3) the capacity for the proposed use of funds to advance the technology to the next value inflection point.
It is anticipated that project milestones will be completed in 6 months from the start of the project, and that the funding will be spent during this time period. Project management and mentor support will be provided during this 6-month period. VITAL and BARDA also understand that unforeseen and unpredicted events happen during development, evaluation and validation activities.
There will be reporting requirements on a quarterly basis, based on milestones achievement, and a final report.
Allowable expenses for the non-dilutive funds from VITAL include: direct costs for development, evaluation, or validation activities, and labor for personnel or CROs “doing the work”. Indirect costs are permitted but count toward the total cost limit, which is capped at $250K.
Companies and individuals that receive funding from VITAL will have access to BARDA subject matter experts and other related BARDA resources. Access to these BARDA resources will be managed and coordinated by the VITAL Lead Mentor.
VITAL is part of the BARDA Accelerator Network hubs. The other 4 hubs are focusing on: digital health (PARATUS), enabling technologies (BioTools Innovator VANGUARD), innovations in pediatrics (SPARK), and diagnostics and medical devices. Innovators developing models for vaccines/therapeutics discovery may want to look into opportunities with the PARATUS and VANGUARD hubs in addition to VITAL, depending on the underlying technology. If your technology could significantly and specifically improve sampling, delivery, efficacy, durability, etc., of vaccines/therapeutics for pediatric populations, you may want to look into opportunities with the SPARK hub in additional to VITAL.
VITAL will not fund AMR technologies broadly under this solicitation, including diagnostics, vaccines, and antibacterial therapeutics. The one exception is antifungal drug candidates: first-in-class, broad-spectrum antifungal small molecule or peptide-based candidates for invasive fungal infections are in scope and eligible for DEV funding. If you are developing antibacterial AMR innovations, please visit the CARB-X program website to view current funding priorities: https://carb-x.org/apply/funding-themes/.
This funding opportunity does not support gain of function research or research that involves the manipulation of pathogens resulting in potential gain of function.
Proposals will be evaluated for the appropriate use of strain(s) in proposed studies.
BARDA DRIVe: https://drive.hhs.gov/partner.html
BARDA BAA funding: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/barda-baa/
BARDA’s main page: www.medicalcountermeasures.gov
Does your technology not fit under one of the current focus areas, but aligns with BARDA’s mission? VITAL reviews applications on a rolling basis, and applicants are invited to submit a full proposal based on BARDA priorities and availability of funds.
